2018 Australia-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Meeting

11 October 2018

The Australian and Indonesian Defence Ministers met in Indonesia today for the annual Australia-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Meeting, an important part of a strong partnership and commitment to regional challenges.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, who co-chaired the meeting with Indonesia’s Minister for Defence, Ryamizard Ryacudu, said they discussed common interests in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing maritime security and cyber cooperation, and identifying further areas of regional collaboration including through Our Eyes and tri-lateral patrols.

The Ministers also agreed to establish an officials-level Joint Working Group to identify mutual areas of co-operation to combat counter terrorism and the return of foreign fighters.

“As our nations enter an era of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and our defence cooperation enters its sixth decade, Australia and Indonesia are committed to promoting security, stability and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific,” Minister Pyne said.

“Australia’s defence relationship with Indonesia is based on practical cooperation to support our mutual interests in the region such as maritime security, counter terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

Minister Pyne extended again to Minister Ryamizard the Australian Government’s condolences for lives lost and suffering caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi.